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Incoming medical student (MD), and have always been curious about this. Also curious about the similarities and differences between studying for school exams vs studying for the Mcat. Thanks!
MD & DO What are the similarities and differences between studying for USMLE vs. MCAT?
- Thread starter redrosesfi
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MCAT is more about test-taking than it is about content. Steps are pretty much all about content (though being a good test taker helps). Most people study 2-3 months for the MCAT after taking the required science classes. Most people take 5-8 weeks to study for Step 1 after the preclinical part of medical school. Steps are MUCH more informationally dense.
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An over-simplification:
MCAT = applying general knowledge to questions. You get good at CARS, for example, by doing CARS problems, and you solve novel physics questions by applying physicals formulas you already know. The main source of memorization is probably biology. The "meat" of the test comes from several classes, and you can study for several months.
Step 1 = mostly memorization. You get presented with information about a patient and have to make a diagnosis, or pick a treatment, that fits profiles you have memorized. For example, the patient has symptoms X, Y, and Z, which fits diagnosis 1 the best, which is best treated with treatment A. For stuff you don't know, it's a combination of applied knowledge and answer elimination. Everything covered in your first two years of classes (and more) is fair game, and you generally have a few weeks to study.
MCAT = applying general knowledge to questions. You get good at CARS, for example, by doing CARS problems, and you solve novel physics questions by applying physicals formulas you already know. The main source of memorization is probably biology. The "meat" of the test comes from several classes, and you can study for several months.
Step 1 = mostly memorization. You get presented with information about a patient and have to make a diagnosis, or pick a treatment, that fits profiles you have memorized. For example, the patient has symptoms X, Y, and Z, which fits diagnosis 1 the best, which is best treated with treatment A. For stuff you don't know, it's a combination of applied knowledge and answer elimination. Everything covered in your first two years of classes (and more) is fair game, and you generally have a few weeks to study.
A
AnatomyGrey12
The MCAT has a very rigid guideline on the content they can ask you and even then it's mostly application of info you glean from the passage and critical reasoning. The USMLE can literally ask you anything that even remotely is related to anything you've talked about the pre-clinical years. Much more content focused. Being a good test taker helps, but isn't enough to succeed on the USMLE.
